Supporting international students on professional doctorate programmes: A perspective from the United
Kingdom

Burton, Rob and Kirshbaum, Marilyn
(2013)
Supporting international students on professional doctorate programmes: A perspective from the United
Kingdom.
Work Based Learning e-Journal International, 3 (1).
pp. 109-121.
ISSN 2044-7868

Abstract

This paper explores academic, personal and professional challenges associated with the increasing recruitment of international students to university programmes, particularly professional doctorate programmes.The discussion notes the ‘culture shock’, ‘adaptation’ and a ‘change in self-­‐perception’ that international students face highlighted byScherto (2007) and suggests how these should beconsidered. The three broad priority areas ofpre-­‐course information, pedagological issues andacademic supervision are addressed.It is argued that this structured input shouldbegin with the provision of clear informationabout what a professional doctorate is and therequirements of undertaking such a programme.The importance of finding ways of conveying thismessage to candidates from overseas requirescareful consideration.Students need to understand their roles andresponsibilities, and the instructional/assessmentapproaches to which they will be exposed, which may differ from their previous educationalexperiences.Therefore it is imperative for professionaldoctorate programme teams to gain a meta-­‐awareness of cultural differences relevant toeducation and research.In an attempt to maximise the experiences ofinternational students, programmes involvingworking and supporting each other in groupscan be beneficial.Peer coaching is a recommended method for assisting students in developing academic andpractical ways of progressing through theprogramme.Research supervision functions best when it isresponsive and flexible to each student’scharacter, approach to study, confidence andability.By gaining intercultural awareness students canbe supported in designing, conducting and reporting upon the researchsuccessfully.